U.S. patent application number 12/828224 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for apparatus and method for managing the presentation of media content.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.. Invention is credited to AHMAD ANSARI, Pierre Costa.
Application Number | 20120005717 12/828224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45400789 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120005717 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ANSARI; AHMAD ; et
al. |
January 5, 2012 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING THE PRESENTATION OF MEDIA
CONTENT
Abstract
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure
may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to
receive a single video stream comprising two-dimensional image
content and a depth map of the two-dimensional image content,
generate three-dimensional image content in real-time from the
two-dimensional image content and the depth map where the
three-dimensional image content is generated when a display device
operably coupled with the set top box is determined to be capable
of presenting the three-dimensional image content, and provide
either the two-dimensional image content or the three-dimensional
image content to the display device. Other embodiments are
disclosed.
Inventors: |
ANSARI; AHMAD; (Cedar Park,
TX) ; Costa; Pierre; (Austin, TX) |
Assignee: |
AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I,
L.P.
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
45400789 |
Appl. No.: |
12/828224 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/153 ;
345/419 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 13/00 20130101;
H04N 21/2143 20130101; H04N 13/111 20180501; H04N 21/234327
20130101; H04N 21/4516 20130101; H04N 21/25825 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/153 ;
345/419 |
International
Class: |
G06T 15/00 20060101
G06T015/00; H04N 7/16 20060101 H04N007/16 |
Claims
1. A set top box, comprising a controller to: receive a single
video stream comprising two-dimensional image content and a depth
map of the two-dimensional image content; generate
three-dimensional image content in real-time from the
two-dimensional image content and the depth map, the
three-dimensional image content being generated when a display
device operably coupled with the set top box is determined to be
capable of presenting the three-dimensional image content; and
provide either the two-dimensional image content or the
three-dimensional image content to the display device.
2. The set top box of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable
to detect a viewing apparatus that is configured for viewing of the
three-dimensional image content, and wherein the display device is
determined to be capable of presenting the three-dimensional image
content when the viewing apparatus is detected.
3. The set top box of claim 2, wherein the controller is operable
to detect the viewing apparatus based on a signal emitted by the
viewing apparatus.
4. The set top box of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable
to detect without user intervention a capability of the display
device to present three-dimensional content.
5. The set top box of claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional image
content and the depth map are encapsulated using MPEG-2 format.
6. The set top box of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable
to engage in communication with a viewing apparatus to synchronize
the viewing apparatus with a sequential presentation of left and
right image pairs of the three-dimensional image content.
7. The set top box of claim 1, wherein the display device is
incorporated with the set top box in a television.
8. The set top box of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional image
content comprises left and right image pairs that are oppositely
polarized.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a
media processor, the storage medium comprising computer
instructions to: receive two-dimensional image content and a depth
map of the two-dimensional image content; generate
three-dimensional image content in real-time from the
two-dimensional image content and the depth map; and provide one of
the two-dimensional image content and the three-dimensional image
content to a display device operably coupled with the media
processor.
10. The storage medium of claim 9, comprising computer instructions
to determine a capability of the display device to present the
three-dimensional image content, wherein the media processor is
selected from a group consisting of a set top box and a gaming
console.
11. The storage medium of claim 10, wherein the determination of
the capability of the display device to present the
three-dimensional image content is performed without user
intervention.
12. The storage medium of claim 9, comprising computer instructions
to present an option for viewing the media content as
two-dimensional images or three-dimensional images.
13. The storage medium of claim 9, wherein the two-dimensional
image content comprises video game images.
14. The storage medium of claim 9, wherein the three-dimensional
image content is polarized.
15. The storage medium of claim 9, comprising computer instructions
to detect a viewing apparatus that is configured for viewing of the
three-dimensional image content.
16. The storage medium of claim 9, wherein the two-dimensional
image content is transmitted from a media server, and wherein the
media server generates the depth map from the two-dimensional image
content in real time.
17. The storage medium of claim 9, comprising computer instructions
to engage in communication with a viewing apparatus to synchronize
the viewing apparatus with a sequential presentation of left and
right image pairs of the three-dimensional image content.
18. A method comprising: encoding two-dimensional image content and
a depth map of the two-dimensional image content in a single video
stream; and transmitting the single video stream to a media
processor for generation of three-dimensional image content in
real-time from the two-dimensional image content and the depth
map.
19. The method of claim 18, comprising: receiving the
two-dimensional image content; and generating the depth map from
the two-dimensional image content.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the three-dimensional image
content is generated when a display device operably coupled with
the media processor is determined to be capable of presenting the
three-dimensional image content.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to media content
communication and more specifically to an apparatus and method for
managing the presentation of media content.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Media consumption has become a multibillion dollar industry
that continues to grow rapidly. High resolution displays are being
introduced into the marketplace that can now present
two-dimensional movies and games with three-dimensional perspective
with clarity never seen before. However, viewers have differing
preferences as to types of media content and there is a vast range
of capabilities of the consumer devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIGS. 1 and 7 depict illustrative embodiments of
communication systems that provide media services;
[0004] FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal
interacting with the communication system of FIG. 1;
[0005] FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication
device utilized in the communication system of FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a presentation
device and media processor for presenting media content;
[0007] FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a viewing
apparatus;
[0008] FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a presentation
device with a polarized display;
[0009] FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method
operating in portions of the devices and systems of FIGS. 1-7;
and
[0010] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the
form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when
executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the
methodologies discussed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a set
top box having a controller to receive a single video stream
comprising two-dimensional image content and a depth map of the
two-dimensional image content. The controller can generate
three-dimensional image content in real-time from the
two-dimensional image content and the depth map, where the
three-dimensional image content is generated when a display device
operably coupled with the set top box is determined to be capable
of presenting the three-dimensional image content. The controller
can also provide either the two-dimensional image content or the
three-dimensional image content to the display device.
[0012] One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a
non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a
media processor, where the storage medium includes computer
instructions to receive two-dimensional image content and a depth
map of the two-dimensional image content. The storage medium can
include computer instructions to generate three-dimensional image
content in real-time from the two-dimensional image content and the
depth map. The storage medium can also include computer instruction
to provide one of the two-dimensional image content and the
three-dimensional image content to a display device.
[0013] One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a method
including encoding two-dimensional image content and a depth map of
the two-dimensional image content in a single video stream. The
method can also include transmitting the single video stream to a
media processor for generation of three-dimensional image content
in real-time from the two-dimensional image content and the depth
map.
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first
communication system 100 for delivering media content. The
communication system 100 can represent an Internet Protocol
Television (IPTV) broadcast media system although other media
broadcast systems are contemplated by the present disclosures. The
IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 110
with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 111 which
receives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial
communication systems. In the present context, media content can
represent audio content, moving image content such as videos, still
image content, or combinations thereof. The SHS server 111 can
forward packets associated with the media content to video head-end
servers (VHS) 114 via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) 112
according to a common multicast communication protocol.
[0015] The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via
an access network 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings
102 housing a gateway 104 (such as a residential or commercial
gateway). The access network 118 can represent a group of digital
subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central
office or a service area interface that provides broadband services
over optical links or copper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102.
The gateway 104 can use common communication technology to
distribute broadcast signals to media processors 106 such as
Set-Top Boxes (STBs) or gaming consoles, which in turn present
broadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers,
television sets, managed in some instances by a media controller
107 (such as an infrared or RF remote control, gaming controller,
etc.).
[0016] The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices
108 can utilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial,
phone line, or powerline wiring) or can operate over a common
wireless access protocol such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi). With
these interfaces, unicast communications can be invoked between the
media processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system for
services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronic
programming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.
[0017] Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be
coupled to one or more computing devices 130. The computing devices
130, or a portion thereof, can operate as a web server for
providing portal services over an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wireless communication
devices 116 (e.g., cellular phone, laptop computer, etc.) by way of
a wireless access base station 117. The base station 117 can
operate according to common wireless access protocols such as WiFi,
or cellular communication technologies (such as GSM, CDMA, UMTS,
WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, and so on).
[0018] A satellite broadcast television system can be used in place
of the IPTV media system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted
by a satellite 115 carrying media content can be intercepted by a
common satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to the building 102.
Modulated signals intercepted by the satellite dish receiver 131
can be transferred to the media processors 106 for decoding and
distributing broadcast channels to the media devices 108. The media
processors 106 can be equipped with a broadband port to the IP
network 132 to enable services such as VoD and EPG described
above.
[0019] In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast
distribution system such as cable TV system 133 can be used in
place of the IPTV media system described above. In this embodiment
the cable TV system 133 can provide Internet, telephony, and
interactive media services.
[0020] It is contemplated that the present disclosure can apply to
any present or next generation over-the-air and/or landline media
content services system. In one embodiment, an IP Multimedia
Subsystem (IMS) network architecture can be utilized to facilitate
the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switched
systems in delivering the media content to one or more viewers.
[0021] A converter 175 can be used for converting or otherwise
adjusting between two-dimensional image content and
three-dimensional image content from a depth map of the
two-dimensional image content. The image content can be in various
forms, including still images, moving images and video games. The
converter 175 can be a separate device that is configured for wired
and/or wireless communication with media presentation devices
and/or media processors, including set top boxes, televisions and
so forth. The converter 175 can also be incorporated into the media
presentation devices and/or media processors, including the set top
boxes and televisions. In one embodiment, the converter 175 can
receive a broadcast of two-dimensional image content along with a
depth map of the content and can adjust it into three-dimensional
image content. In another embodiment the conversion can be
performed in real-time, including without the need to change the
channel or to interrupt the broadcast. The conversion into
three-dimensional image content from the depth map can be based
upon various imaging techniques and the three-dimensional
presentation can be based upon various formats including
polarization, anaglyphics, active shuttering (such as alternate
frame sequencing), autostereoscopy, and so forth.
[0022] In one embodiment, the computing devices 130 can receive the
two-dimensional media content and can generate a depth map
therefrom, such as based on object segmentation. In another
embodiment, the two-dimensional media content and the depth map can
be transmitted from the computing device 130 to the one or more
STB's in a single video stream, such as H.264 format encapsulated
in an MPEG-2 wrapper.
[0023] FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 202
which can operate from the computing devices 130 described earlier
of communication system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portal 202
can be used for managing services of communication system 100. The
portal 202 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with
a common Internet browser using an Internet-capable communication
device such as those illustrated FIG. 1. The portal 202 can be
configured, for example, to access a media processor 106 and
services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a
VoD catalog, an EPG, a video gaming profile, a personal catalog
(such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored
in the media processor, to provision IMS services described
earlier, to provision Internet services, provisioning cellular
phone services, and so on.
[0024] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication
device 300. Communication device 300 can serve in whole or in part
as an illustrative embodiment of the communication devices of FIG.
1 and other communication devices described herein. The
communication device 300 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless
transceiver 302 (herein transceiver 302), a user interface (UI)
304, a power supply 314, a location detector 316, and a controller
306 for managing operations thereof. The transceiver 302 can
support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such
as infrared, Bluetooth, WiFi, Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunications (DECT), or cellular communication technologies,
just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include, for
example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX,
SDR, and next generation cellular wireless communication
technologies as they arise. The transceiver 302 can also be adapted
to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as
PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCPIP,
VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.
[0025] The UI 304 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive
keypad 308 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball,
joystick, mouse, or navigation disk for manipulating operations of
the communication device 300. The keypad 308 can be an integral
part of a housing assembly of the communication device 300 or an
independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline
interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting
for example Bluetooth. The keypad 308 can represent a numeric
dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a Qwerty keypad with
alphanumeric keys. The UI 304 can further include a display 310
such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED
(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology
for conveying images to an end user of the communication device
300. In an embodiment where the display 310 is touch-sensitive, a
portion or all of the keypad 308 can be presented by way of the
display 310.
[0026] The UI 304 can also include an audio system 312 that
utilizes common audio technology for conveying low volume audio
(such as audio heard only in the proximity of a human ear) and high
volume audio for hands free operation. The audio system 312 can
further include a microphone for receiving audible signals from an
end user. The audio system 312 can also be used for voice
recognition applications. The UI 304 can further include an image
sensor 313 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for
capturing still or moving images.
[0027] The power supply 314 can utilize common power management
technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply
regulation technologies, and charging system technologies for
supplying energy to the components of the communication device 300
to facilitate long-range or short-range portable applications. The
location detector 316 can utilize common location technology such
as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for identifying a
location of the communication device 300 based on signals generated
by a constellation of GPS satellites, thereby facilitating common
location services such as navigation.
[0028] The communication device 300 can use the transceiver 302 to
also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth access
point by common power sensing techniques such as utilizing a
received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of
arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF). The controller 306 can
utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital
signal processor (DSP), and/or a video processor with associated
storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage
technologies.
[0029] The communication device 300 can be adapted to perform the
functions of the media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the
portable communication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as IMS CDs
and PSTN CDs. It will be appreciated that the communication device
300 can also represent other common devices that can operate in
communication system 100 of FIG. 1 such as a gaming console and a
media player.
[0030] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a presentation
device 402 and a media processor 106 for presenting media content.
In the present illustration, the presentation device 402 is
depicted as a television set. It will be appreciated that the
presentation device 402 alternatively can represent a portable
communication device such as a cellular phone, a PDA, a computer,
or other computing device with the ability to display media
content. The media processor 106 can be an STB such as illustrated
in FIG. 1, or some other computing device such as a cellular phone,
computer, gaming console, or other device that can process and
direct the presentation device 402 to emit images associated with
media content. It is further noted that the media processor 106 and
the presentation device 402 can be an integral unit. For example, a
computer or cellular phone having computing and display resources
collectively can represent the combination of a presentation device
402 and media processor 106.
[0031] The media processor 106 can be adapted to communicate with
accessories such as the viewing apparatus 502 of FIG. 5 by way of a
wired or wireless interface, including through use of signals 406
from the media processor 106. The communication can be one-way
and/or two-way communication, such as providing the viewing
apparatus 502 with a transceiver. A wired interface can represent a
tethered connection from the viewing apparatus to an
electro-mechanical port of the media processor 106 (e.g., USB or
proprietary interface). A wireless interface can represent a radio
frequency (RF) interface such as Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee or other
wireless standard. The wireless interface can also represent an
infrared communication interface. Any standard or proprietary
wireless interface between the media processor 106 and the viewing
apparatus 502 is contemplated by the presented disclosure.
[0032] The viewing apparatus 502 can represent an apparatus for
viewing two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic
images which can be still or moving images. The viewing apparatus
502 can be an active shutter viewing apparatus. In this embodiment,
each lens has a liquid crystal layer which can be darkened or made
to be transparent by the application of one or more bias voltages.
Each lens 504, 506 can be independently controlled. Accordingly,
the darkening of the lenses 504, 506 can alternate, or can be
controlled to operate simultaneously.
[0033] Each viewing apparatus 502 can include all or portions of
the components of the communication device 300 illustrated in FIG.
3. For example, the viewing apparatus 502 can utilize the receiver
portion of the transceiver 302 in the form of an infrared receiver
depicted by the window 508. Alternatively, the viewing apparatus
502 can function as a two-way communication device, in which case a
full infrared transceiver could be utilized to exchange signals
between the media processor 106 and the viewing apparatus 502.
[0034] The viewing apparatus 502 can utilize a controller 306 to
control operations thereof, and a portable power supply (not
shown). The viewing apparatus 502 can have portions of the UI 304
of FIG. 3. For example, the viewing apparatus 502 can have a
multi-purpose button 512 which can function as a power on/off
button and as a channel selection button. A power on/off feature
can be implemented by a long-duration depression of button 512
which can toggle from an on state to an off state and vice-versa.
Fast depressions of button 512 can be used for channel navigation.
Alternatively, two buttons can be added to the viewing apparatus
502 for up/down channel selection, which operate independent of the
on/off power button 512. In another embodiment, a thumbwheel can be
used for scrolling between channels.
[0035] The viewing apparatus 502 can also include an audio system
312 with one or more speakers in the extensions of the housing
assembly such as shown by references 516, 520 to produce localized
audio 518, 520 near a user's ears. Different portions of the
housing assembly can be used to produce mono, stereo, or surround
sound effects. Ear cups (not shown) such as those used in
headphones can be used by the viewing apparatus 502 (as an
accessory or integral component) for a more direct and low-noise
audio presentation technique. The volume of sound presented by the
speakers 514, 516 can be controlled by a thumbwheel 510 (or up/down
buttons--not shown).
[0036] It would be evident from the above descriptions that many
embodiments of the viewing apparatus 502 are possible, all of which
are contemplated by the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of the
presentation device 402 of FIG. 4 with a polarized display. A
display can be polarized with well-known polarization filter
technology so that alternative horizontal pixel rows can be made to
have differing polarizations. For instance, odd horizontal pixels
602 can be polarized for viewing with one polarization filter,
while even horizontal pixels 604 can be polarized for viewing with
an alternative polarization filter. The viewing apparatus 502
previously described can be adapted to have one lens polarized for
odd pixel rows, while the other lens is polarized for viewing even
pixel rows. With polarized lenses, the viewing apparatus 502 can
present a user a 3D stereoscopic image.
[0038] FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication
system 700 for delivering media content. System 700 can include
computing devices 130 for receiving a two-dimensional media content
and generating (or otherwise obtaining) a depth map associated with
the media content. The computing devices 130 can encode the media
content and depth map (such as into a single video stream) and
transmit the media content and depth map to one or more media
receivers, such as through broadcast, multicast and/or unicast.
[0039] In one embodiment, the computing devices 130 can generate
the depth map in real-time or near real-time upon receipt of the
two-dimensional media content, such as from a broadcast studio.
System 700 includes media processors 106 (shown as set top boxes)
which receive the video stream of the two-dimensional media content
and the depth map. The media processors 106 can generate
three-dimensional content using the depth maps in real time upon
receipt of the video stream. The media processors 106 can also
detect the capability of display devices (such as through HDMI
1.4a) and can adjust the media content accordingly. For instance,
if a display device 108 can only present two-dimensional content,
then the media processor 106 may discard the depth map and provide
the two-dimensional image content to the display device. Otherwise,
the media processor can perform the real-time generation of the
three-dimensional image content using the depth map and provide the
content to the 3D capable display device 108.
[0040] FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 800
operating in portions of the devices and systems described herein
and/or illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. Method 800 can begin with step 802
in which media content in 2D format is received (or otherwise
obtained) by a service provider, such as computing devices 130. The
media content can be of various types including still images,
moving images and video games. In step 804, the computing devices
130 can generate (or otherwise obtain) a depth map of the
two-dimensional image content. The particular components and
techniques utilized for generating the depth map can vary and can
include object segmentation. In one embodiment, the depth map can
be generated in real-time as the two-dimensional media content is
being received from a media source, such as a broadcast studio.
[0041] In step 806, the two-dimensional media content and the depth
map can be transmitted to one or more media processors, such as
through broadcast, multicast, and/or unicast. In one embodiment,
the two-dimensional media content and the depth map can be packaged
in a single video stream, such as through MPEG-2 encapsulation. In
one embodiment, the video stream can essentially consist of the
two-dimensional media content and the depth map so that bandwidth
is conserved. For instance, the depth map can be depth data rather
than depth-adjusted images, and then later the depth data can be
utilized for generating the depth-adjusted images.
[0042] In step 808, the capability of the display device(s) to
present three-dimensional content can be determined. For instance,
each of the media processors (such as STB's) can detect without
user intervention whether a display device operably coupled to the
STB can receive and present three-dimensional content. The
exemplary embodiments contemplate other techniques for determining
the capability of the display device to present the content,
including detecting the availability of a viewing apparatus that
would be necessary to view the three-dimensional content, as well
as presenting an option to a viewer for selection of the type of
content.
[0043] In step 810, if the display device is incapable of
presenting three-dimensional content then the depth map can be
discarded or otherwise ignored by the STB and the two-dimensional
content can be presented by the display device in step 814.
[0044] If on the other hand the display device is capable of
presenting three-dimensional content and such a presentation is
desired then in step 812 the media processor (such as the STB's)
can generate three-dimensional content utilizing the depth map and
the two dimensional content. For instance, the STB's can generate
image pairs using the depth map, such as the two dimensional
content image being the left pairing and the depth-adjusted image
being the right pairing. The left and right pairings can then be
sequentially presented at the display device and viewed utilizing
active shutter glasses. In another embodiment, the left and right
pairings can be generated as described above and then combined but
oppositely polarized and viewed utilizing polarized glasses. The
exemplary embodiments contemplate other techniques for generating
the three-dimensional content from the two-dimensional content and
the depth map.
[0045] The particular methodology employed to provide or render the
three-dimensional image content can vary and can include active
shutter (alternate frame sequencing), polarization and other
techniques. The 2D media content and depth map can be received by
the media processor from various sources, such as via a broadcast
over an IPTV network, cable, DBS and so forth.
[0046] The exemplary embodiments contemplate a viewing apparatus
(such as active shutter glasses or passive polarization glasses)
being detected through various means. The detection can be
performed by the media processor, although other devices can also
be utilized for this purpose as well. The detection can be based
upon a number of thresholds, including recognizing that a viewer is
wearing the viewing apparatus; detecting that the viewing apparatus
is in a line of sight with a display device upon which the media
content is or will be displayed; and determining that the viewing
apparatus is within a pre-determined distance of the display
device. The techniques and components utilized for detecting the
viewing apparatus can vary. For example, the media processor can
scan for the presence of the viewing apparatus. This can include
two-way communication between the media processor and the viewing
apparatus. In one embodiment, the viewing apparatus can emit a
signal which is detected by the media processor. Presence and/or
distance can be determined based on the signal, including utilizing
signal strength. Location techniques can also be used for
determining a position of the viewing apparatus, including
triangulation and so forth.
[0047] In one embodiment, 2D HD video with standard
encoding/compression techniques can be utilized for the method 800.
At the receiving end, standard decoders can also be utilized in
conjunction with the depth map where three-dimensional image
content is desired.
[0048] Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be
evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that said
embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing
from the scope and spirit of the claims described below. The
embodiments described above can be adapted to operate with any
device capable of performing in whole or in part the steps
described for method 800. For example, a cellular phone can be
adapted to convert a broadcast of 2D image content to 3D image
content using a received depth map.
[0049] In one embodiment, both the generation of the depth map and
the conversion from 2D to 3D format can be performed in real-time
by the back-end server and the STB, respectively, so that a
broadcast is not interrupted. In another embodiment, the media
content can be video games that are being transmitted to a gaming
console in 2D format, such as from a backend server over the
Internet. The gaming console can then selectively convert the 2D
images to 3D images for presentation on a display device, such as a
television or a monitor.
[0050] In one embodiment, the media processor can be a gateway
connected with each of the STBs or connected directly with the
display devices. The exemplary embodiments also contemplate a
residence or other location where a portion of the display devices
are presenting three-dimensional content and another portion of the
display devices are presenting two-dimensional content. In one
embodiment, the generation of the three-dimensional content can be
performed by a single media processor and distributed to other
media processors to avoid duplication of processing. In another
embodiment, the generation of the three-dimensional content can be
done in a distributed fashion using multiple media processors at
the residence or other location, to generate the three-dimensional
content for select portions of the content. In another embodiment,
the media processor can detect whether the incoming video stream
has a depth map.
[0051] The depth map can be generated directly from the
two-dimensional images and/or can be generated using metadata that
accompanies the two-dimensional image content, such as in the
single video stream. In one embodiment, the depth chart is
generated for select objects shown in the two-dimensional image
content.
[0052] Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present
disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims below.
Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a
fuller understanding of the breadth and scope of the present
disclosure.
[0053] FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a
machine in the form of a computer system 900 within which a set of
instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any
one or more of the methodologies discussed above. In some
embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device. In some
embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network)
to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may
operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in
server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a
peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.
[0054] The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user
computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer,
a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or
bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions
(sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that
machine. It will be understood that a device of the present
disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides
voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single machine
is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include
any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a
set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more
of the methodologies discussed herein.
[0055] The computer system 900 may include a processor 902 (e.g., a
central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or
both), a main memory 904 and a static memory 906, which communicate
with each other via a bus 908. The computer system 900 may further
include a video display unit 910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display
(LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube
(CRT)). The computer system 900 may include an input device 912
(e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 914 (e.g., a mouse), a
disk drive unit 916, a signal generation device 918 (e.g., a
speaker or remote control) and a network interface device 920.
[0056] The disk drive unit 916 may include a machine-readable
medium 922 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions
(e.g., software 924) embodying any one or more of the methodologies
or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated
above. The instructions 924 may also reside, completely or at least
partially, within the main memory 904, the static memory 906,
and/or within the processor 902 during execution thereof by the
computer system 900. The main memory 904 and the processor 902 also
may constitute machine-readable media.
[0057] Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not
limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable
logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed
to implement the methods described herein. Applications that may
include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly
include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some
embodiments implement functions in two or more specific
interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and
data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as
portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the
example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware
implementations.
[0058] In accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation
as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore,
software implementations can include, but not limited to,
distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,
parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be
constructed to implement the methods described herein.
[0059] The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable
medium containing instructions 924, or that which receives and
executes instructions 924 from a propagated signal so that a device
connected to a network environment 926 can send or receive voice,
video or data, and to communicate over the network 926 using the
instructions 924. The instructions 924 may further be transmitted
or received over a network 926 via the network interface device
920.
[0060] While the machine-readable medium 922 is shown in an example
embodiment to be a single medium, the term "machine-readable
medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple
media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or
associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of
instructions. The term "machine-readable medium" shall also be
taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or
carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and
that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the
methodologies of the present disclosure.
[0061] The term "machine-readable medium" shall accordingly be
taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such
as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only
(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other
re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or optical medium
such as a disk or tape; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail
or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is
considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage
medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any
one or more of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium,
as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and
successor media, in which the software implementations herein are
stored.
[0062] Although the present specification describes components and
functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to
particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited
to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet
and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP,
UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art.
Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more
efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.
Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same
functions are considered equivalents.
[0063] The illustrations of embodiments described herein are
intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of
various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a
complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus
and systems that might make use of the structures described herein.
Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the
art upon reviewing the above description. Other embodiments may be
utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical
substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the
scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational
and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be
exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the
specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense.
[0064] Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be
referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term
"invention" merely for convenience and without intending to
voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single
invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact
disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been
illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any
arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be
substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is
intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various
embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other
embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to
those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
[0065] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the
understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the
scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing
Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are
grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of
streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be
interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments
require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.
Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter
lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.
Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed
Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately
claimed subject matter.
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